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A DAY IN COURT 



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No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 



A Day In Court 



A Burlesque on a Justice of the 
Peace's Court 



By 

JAY CLAY POWERS 

Author of ''If 1 Only Had a Million ;' ''Bonnie's 
Christmas Eve" etc. 



First produced in San Antonio^ Texas^ December 9, igi4, and 
repeated in Austin, Texas, March 4 and 27, in Ckburne, 
Texas, April 16 and May 11, igi^. 



BOSTON 

WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 
1916 



A Day In Court 



CHARACTERS 

(^Arranged in the order in ivhich they speak.) 

Unlucky Mose. Rastus Simmons. 

Dan, ^Ae clerk. Jack Johnson. 

Judge Muckenfuss. Melissa Jenkins. 

Policeman. Susanna Huffy. 



\^ 



^^r.v^' 



^\ 



■<^ 



Taylor Holmes. 
Lizzie Sims. 
Jim Thompson. 



Allie Allison. 
Skinny Huffy, a boy. 
Tiny Huffy, a girl. 



First produced as afterpiece of Ladies' Minstrel, Beethoven 
Hall, San Antonio, Texas, December 9, 19 14, by Adah and San 
Antonio Chapters Order of Eastern Star. 



ORIGINAL CAST 



Unlucky Mose 
Dan, the clerk . 
Judge Muckenfuss 
Policeman 
Taylor Holmes 
Lizzie Sims 
Jim Thompson . 
Rastus Simmons 
Jack Johnson . 
Melissa Jenkins 
Susanna Huffy 
Allie Allison 
Skinny Huffy 
Tiny Huffy 



Miss Helen Gordon 

Mrs. Beulah La France 

. Mrs. Sallie Luke 

Mrs. P. H. Bethge 

Miss Noretta Brown 

Mrs. C. B. Waiters 

Mrs. H. B. Vodrie 

Mrs. R. M. Walmsley 

Miss Lillian Wagner 

Miss Lucille Morris 

. Mrs. C. A. Soule 

Miss Gertrude Saynisch 

Miss Stella Vodrie 

Miss Florence Vodrie 



NOTE. — Local names of streets, towns, and persons should 
be substituted for those that occur in the body of the text. 




TMP96-006337 
Copyright, 1916, by Jay Clay Powers. y j 

JAN -7 1916 %^:^ 

d>CI,D 426 7 o 



A Day In Court 



SCENE. — Court of a negro Justice of the Peace. Entrance 
back c, to which an aisle leads betwee?i roivs of chairs, r. 
and L. Raised platform at r., on which are placed the 
Judge^s desk and chair. At l. of this platform f a?id resting 
against it, are the Clerk's desk a7id chair. 

{At rise of curtain, Dan is seated at his desk, busy with the 
court docket. A number of court loungers are seated. 
Unlucky Mose, a gawky, country nigger, enters.') 

MosE. Kin you-all tell me whose court this is ? 

Dan. Yes, suh. This is Jedge Muckenfuss's court. I 
thought everybody knovv'd that. 

Mose. But you see, Jedge 

Dan. Look a-here, nigger ! I ain't the Jedge, I'm only 
the clerk of this here court. What's your name, and where 
did you come from, nohow ? 

Mose. They calls me Unlucky Mose, and I comes from 
Castroville. 

Dan. I might 'a' know'd it. What's your business with 
his honor? 

Mose. His who ? 

Dan. His honor, the Jedge, Jedge Muckenfuss. 

Mose. Oh, I ain't got no business with him. I jest wanted 
to know if this was his court. Do he marry people what wants 
10 sit married ? 

Dan. Well, you didn't s'pose he married people what 
didn't want to git married, did you? 

Mose. Oh, no, nothin' like that. Is it all right if I set 
down in here for a while ? 

Dan. Course you kin. That's what them chairs was made 
for. Take any empty seat you want to. (Mose sits on front 
row extreme L.) I might 'a' know'd that fool nigger come 
from Castroville. There must be some case on the way here 
from Castroville that he's interested in. 



4 A DAY IN COURT 

Enter Judge Muckenfuss, a pompous old 7iegro, followed by 
Policeman. 

Judge. Good-morning, Dan. 

Dan. Mornin', Jedge. 

Judge (silting at his desk). Pronounce the benediction, 
Dan. 

Dan {rising and holding up right hand). Hear ye, hear 
ye ! The honorable court is now open. God bless the court; 
God bless the Jedge ; God bless the grand old Commonwealth 
of Texas. . . . Take your hats off' n your heads, niggers; quit 
spittin' 'baccy juice and let the court have your undivided 
attention. {Sits.) 

Judge. Read the first case on the docket, Dan. 

T>A^ {reading). " State against Taylor Holmes. Defendant 
is charged with purloining a chicken from the residence of 
Honorable Nat Washer." {To Police.) Bring in that chicken 
thief ! 

Police. Yes, suh. 

{Salutes ; turfis sharply on heel and exits. Reenters drag- 
ging in Taylor Holmes, a ?iegro trafnp.) 

Judge. Are you the defendant ? 

Tay. 1 reckon so, Jedge ; I dunno. 

Judge. Do you plead guilty ? 

Tay. No, sah, no, sah ; I pleads not guilty. 

Judge. But I understood that this officer found the stolen 
goods, to wit : One long-legged Shanghai rooster, on your per- 
son, when he arrested you last night. 

Police. Yes, your honor, I did. 

Tay. Well, you see, Jedge, it was jest this a-way : I was 
passin' the alley that leads in back of Mr. Washer's residence 
about 'leben last night, when I hears a distressful sound. 
'Pears to me like a dog a-barkin' and a poor little chicken 
a-cacklin'. I started to go on 'bout my business — wisht now I 
had — but I was afeered somethin' was a-disturbin' them fowls 
of Mr. Washer's. Jest while I was meditatin' what to do next, 
the cacklin' grew louder, and a big ole red rooster run up to 
me and jumped clean up under my coat and hid there. I was 
jest about to make him git down agin, when I heerd that dog 
a-comin', lickyty-split, so I jest run as fast as my legs would 
carry me, but, honest to goodness, Jedge, I was only tryin' to 
save that poor ole rooster from gittin' all bit up. If I hadn't 



A DAY IN COURT 5 

run into this here policeman I would have returned that fowl 
to Mr. Washer to-day. 

Judge. The court will attend to the aforesaid fowl. Is 
that all ? 

Tay. Yes, suh. 

Judge. How much money have you got ? 

Tay. Nary a nickel, Jedge. I had forty cents on me when 
I was arrested, but I sent for Lawyer Ransom ToUiver, and he 
took it away from me as a detainer. 

Judge. Well, I'll detain you thirty days on the chain gang. 
Next case, Dan. 

Tay. But, Jedge 

Judge. Take him away ! 

(Police, drags Tay, to exit.) 

Tay. (resistmgVoiAC^..). But, Jedge — but, Jedge 

Judge. Take him away ! (Police, exits with Tay.) Next 

case, Dan. 

Dan (reading). " Lizzie Sims and Jim Thompson, charged 

with breach of the peace and dischargin' firearms in the city." 

{^Calls.) Bring in them two fightin' niggers ! 

Enter Police, between Lizzie Sims and Jim Thompson, hoid- 
ing each by an arm. \az. is a stylishly dressed, saucy 
negress ; Jim, a slow, heavy-footed negro ; his head is 
bandaged. 

Judge. You niggers are charged with fightin', shootin', 
and cuttin' up in an otherwise unlawful and disreputefuU man- 
ner. Jim, as you seem to have come off second best in this 
here society fracas, we'll hear your story first. 

Jim. Well, Jedge, we was down to the Janitors' Hop last 
night, me and Miss Lizzie. She went with me, and before we 
left her house she promised not to dance a single time with that 
barber, Rab Williams. 'Bout 'leben o'clock I went outside to 
git a drink of some — some — some lemonade, and when I come 
back the first couple I see is Lizzie and Rab, a-dancin'. I jest 
run up to her and says: ''Lizzie, ain't you 'shame' to do me 
this a-way? If you don't leave Rab and come with me this 
minute I'm goin* home and tell your mammy on you." Then 
she says : '' Rab, did you ever see a nigger run ? " He says, 
*' No." Then she pulls out a gun about a foot long and says : 
'< Nigger, burn the pike ! " I took one look at her eyes and a 
look at that gun, and I know'd Lizzie meant business. I 



6 A DAY IN COURT 

Started for the door, but the bullet got there first. This 
mornin', when I come to, this here policeman told me she'd 
done flattened the bullet from a forty-four 'gainst my coco. 

Liz. Jedge, that nigger certainly kin prevaricate. The 
truth ain't in him, or, if it is, it's so far in it won't come out. 
I'm a-gona tell your honor the cross my heart, honest to good- 
ness, gospel truth. I went to the ball with this here falsifier, I 
admit to that. But that is the onliest truth that he done told. 
There wasn't nothin' said 'bout my dancin' with nobody, least 
of all Mr. Rab Williams. Jim's first wife, Mandy Waters, was 
there and she was moonshinin' around Jim, and the doggone 
lyin', deceitful, cheatin', double-dealin' villain seemed tickled 
to death with her intendons. He invited her outside to have 
a drink with him — and 'twasn't lemonade he had in that bottle, 
neither. He's deceivin' your honor when he says it was. Jest 
to make him notice me a little, I consented to dance with Mr. 
Williams — not but what I had a right to, anyway. When Jim 
come back in and see me in Mr. Williams's embrace, he roared 
like that old bull of Deacon Jones's, and started at us, puUin' 
a gun about two feet long as he run. Mr. Williams jumped 
out the window in haste. I tried to follow him but Jim 
grabbed me. ''Jim," I says, "don't hurt your baby girl." 
"Ungracious wench," says he, "this forty-four'll do my talkin'." 
With that he pointed the gun at me, and I jumped at him and 
grabbed the gun, and we fell on the floor and rolled over and 
over, and the gun went off and Jim got shot right in the haid. 
Jedge, that's my alibi. 

Judge. Is that all either of you has got to say ? 

Jim. Yes, sah. 

Liz. Yes, Jedge, that's all. 

Judge. Then all I've got to say is: There appearin' to be 
a slight circumlocution and decrepency in the testimony of the 
beligerents, I must fine you each two dollars apiece and costs. 

Liz. (^pulling up skirt atid ufiphining dollar bill froju stock- 
ing). Jedge, I'se only got a one- dollar bill here with me, but 
I'se got another one jest like it at home under my Big Ben. 

Jim. So has I got it at home, Jedge. 

Judge. The court excuses you both for one hour on your 
own recognition, in order that you may fetch that money here. 

Liz. Yes, Jedge. 

Jim. Thank you, Jedge. 

Liz. {as she and Jim go up stage). Jedge Muckenfuss shore 
is a fine gentleman. 



A DAY IN COURT 7 

Jim. Yes, indeedy; he's the best of the bunch on the 

bench. [Tkey exeunt. 

Dan. The next case on the docket is Rastus Simmons, 

charged with gaming at Wilbur Shandy's, on Green Street. 
Bring in that sporty nigger ! 

Police. Yes, suh. 

{Exits, and reenters, dragging in Rastus Simmons, a classy 

CO 071.^ 

Judge. Rastus, you are charged with playin' poker down 
at Shandy's place. What have you got to say for yourself? 

Rastus. Not guilty, your honor. Absolutely not guilty. 

Judge. Officer, wasn't Rastus in the game with those other 
niggers that pleaded guilty yesterday? 

Police. He most cert'n'y was, your honor, and he had a 
handful of cards and a stack of chips, same as the rest. 

Judge. Is that true, Rastus ? 

Rastus. In a measure, yes, your honor. But there were 
insinuating circumstances; yes, suh. 

Judge. Cease parley in', Rastus, and state your defense to 
the court. 

Rastus. Cert'n'y, suh. On the night in question, I was 
peacefully amblin' along Green Street and jest chanced per- 
chance to pass by Wilbur Shandy's. As I came abreast, or op- 
posite, to his door, a man, whom I have never seen before and 
ain't seen since, come out of the door and said to me: 
*' Young man, I haven't the pleasure of your acquaintance, but, 
nevertheless, I can see, even in the dim moonlight, that you 
are a young man " 

Judge. That preliminary conversation is irreverent to the 
issue in point ! Proceed ! 

Rastus. Anyway, he requested me to enter the house with 
him. When we got into the room where they was playin' he 
asked me jest to keep his seat warm for him while he went to do 
some long distance telephoning. Honest to goodness, Jedge, I 
was jest holdin' down his place for him when this here officer 
run in and arrested the whole kiboodle of us. That's all I got 
to say. 

Judge. What was the name of that mysterious stranger ? 

Rastus. I ain't done never asked him, your honor. He 
didn't come back from the telephone. 

Judge. How much mazuma have you got, Rastus ? 



8 A DAY IN COURT 

Rastus. I ain't got none, Jedge. I couldn't 'a' got in the 
game if I'd wanted to. 

Judge. Six months in jail, you pauper, at hard labor. 
Next case, Dan. 

Rastus. Look a-here, Jedge, does you mean that ? 

Judge. Next case, Dan, 

Rastus. Jest a minute, Jedge. I might raise some money, 
I might raise a little. 

Judge. Rastus, you're in contempt of court and obstructin' 
justice. How much you got ? 

Rastus. I've got a little money hid away — 'bout twenty 
dollars. 

Judge. Then I remits the prison sentence and fines this 
poker shark 'bout twenty dollars. Produce. 

Rastus (^pulling off shoe and taking money from it). 
Here's all I got, seventeen dollars and forty-four cents. 

Judge. Slip the amount to the clerk and stand acquitted. 

(Rastus gives the money to Dan with a big sighj and takes 

a chair in the court room.) 

Dan {reading ). Melissa Jenkins and Jack Johnson, charged 
with being drunk and dancin' on Main Street, and resistin' an 
officer. Bring in them fox-trottin' coons. 

Police. Yes, suh. 

{Exit and returns with Melissa Jenkins, a loudly dressed 
young negresSf and Jack Johnson, a flashily dressed 
negro.) 

Judge. You are charged with being intoxicated and per- 
sistently dancin' on Main Street, and with startin' a rough- 
house when ordered to desist by an officer. Didn't you know 
that the place for you all to git drunk and dance in this city is 
Snow Street, and not Main ? 

Jack. We wasn't drunk, your honor. 

Mel. No, we wasn't drunk, your honor. 

Judge. Well, you all danced, didn't you ? 

Jack. It was this a-way, Jedge : We was jest walkin' peace- 
fully along the thoroughfare when a band turned the corner 
and started play in' sech a grand ole rag that we couldn't keep 
our feet still. 

Judge. What did you do ? 



A DAY IN COURT 9 

Mel. We kin show you, Jedge, better than we can tell you. 
Come on, Jack, and git a strangle hold. 
Jack. I'm Johnny-on-the-job ! 

{Music. They burlesque the late dances. At conclusion 
Mel. makes low bow to Judge.) 

Mel. That's all we done, Jedge. 

Judge {who, with Dan, has taken a lively interest in the 
dancifig). The case stands dismissed without any prejudice 
whatsoever ! 

Dan. That concludes the docket, your honor. 

[Exit Police. 

{First Liz., and then Jim, enter and pay their fines.) 

Police, {entering and saluting ]\]'DGt). Your honor, there's 
a handsome couple in the antic room waitin' their turn to git 
spliced. 

Judge. This is my busy day. Show them in! {Officer 
exits. Music : A wedding march. Police, enters, grandly, 
followed by Allie Allison, a diminutive groom, Susanna 
Huffy, a large, fat bride, holding to Allie's left ar?n. Po- 
lice, bows low, lets them pass him, and exits. Allie carries 
a large suit-case Ofi which is printed in large letters : " Cas- 
troville.'" Mose exhibits excitement.) Are you young people 
contemplating matrimony? 

Sus. No, Jedge, we jest wants to git married. 

Dan. Have you procured your license ? 

Allie. A man down at the court house sold us dis here 
paper for a dollar and a half. {Gives license to Dan.) 

Dan {inspecting license). Their license is all right, your 
honor. Names, please? 

Sus. Susanna Angelina Huffy. 

Allie. Mah name's Allie Allison. 

Dan. I suppose you know the Jedge's customary fee for 
performin' a weddin' ceremony is five dollars? 

Allie [confused). I'se only got four bits left. I — I 

Judge {hastily coming off rostrum). 'Course if four bits is 
all you've got I ain't a-goin' to let you young people go away 
disappointed. Jest slip the change to the clerk, and stand 
steady. [They do so.) In times of stress, and war and death, 
in times of confusion and financial combustion, when all our 
habits and customs are more or less deranged, it affords me 



10 A DAY IN COURT 

pleasure to know that marriage and matrimony, like the 
poetic brook, runneth on forever. Jine hands ! 

{They do so.) 

Dan. Allie Allison, you're on the wrong side. 

{Places Allie to l. of Sus., and stands oti Allie's l., as 
best man.) 

Judge {resiwiing). Susanna Angelina Huffy and Allie 
Allison stand before me seeking henceforth to live as one — which 
one the Lord only knows. But, nevertheless, if any one knows 
of a reason, good or bad, why this handsome young couple 
should not ally themselves in lawful wedlock, I call on him 
now to out with it, or forever afterward to shut up and keep 
still. 

MosE (rising from extreme l.). Jedge, I knows a reason, 
I does ! I knows a reason ! 

(Allie crouches to r. of Sus., Dan to r. of Allie.) 

Sus. (hands in air). 'Fore de Lawd, Unlucky Mose done 
ketched me ! 

Judge. State your reason to the court ! 

Mose. 'Cause she's already my promised bride; that's de 
reason. 

Sus. Don't believe him, Jedge ! I wouldn't marry dat 
nigger if he was de last man on earf and I was livin' at de 
Norf Pole, and it was forty degrees below zero ! 

Mose. I know what's de matter with you. Youse under 
de spell of dat pin-headed, pudd'n-headed Allie Allison. Dat's 
what's de matter. But I'll fix him, I will ! 

{Advances with razor.) 

Sus. (pulling razor). Back up, nigger, back up ! I'll 

whittle you into toothpicks ! 
Judge. Police ! Police ! 



(Police, runs in.) 

pistol at Mose). ] 
azor.) Come with 

{Drags Mose to exit.) 



Police, {pointing pistol at Mose). Nigger, drop that ra- 
zoo ! (Mose drops razor.) Come with me ! 



A DAY IN COURT II 

MosE. I'll git even with you, Susanna; I'll git even with 
you ! [Exit, in custody of officer. 

Judge (resuming). We'd better rush this ceremony through 
before somebody gits killed ! (Dan places Allie at l. of Sus., 
and stands at L. of Allie as before.') Will you take this afore- 
said woman to be your lawful wedded wife, and promise all 
kinds of things that maybe you will, and maybe you won't fill 
full— I mean full fill? 

Allie. Yes, sah. 

Judge. And will you, Susanna Angehna Huffy, do the same 
to this — this little scrawney nigger? I forgits his nom-de- 
boco. 

Sus. Yes, sah. 

Judge. Then kiss each other {they do so')^ and I pro- 
nounces you man and wife. {Grandiloquently.) It's the cus- 
tom of the Jedge to sample the sweets hisself, (Kisses Sus.) 

Dan. If she's givin' away samples I'll take one, too. {Is 
about to kiss her. ]ui>ge pulls him away.) What's the mat- 
ter, Jedge? What's the matter? 

Judge. Minors not allowed. Now, court stands adjourned. 
Will somebody start up a good ole song in honor of the newly- 
weds? {A perfor77ier sings a good rag.) Hit up '' Turkey 
in the Straiu'' and see the poultry scratch ! 

{Music: ^^ Turkey in de Straw. ^' First otie perf or 7ner afid 
then another Jigs. Allie dances around one of the lady 
dancers and Sus. rushes him back to his seat. An old 
woman, with red bandajina around her head, jigs. She 
catches the Judge's fancy and he jigs around her. He 
drops down 07i 07ie k7iee a7id she puts foot 07i his other 
ktiee, a7id he dusts off her shoe with silk handkerchief.) 

E7iter MosE, excitedly. 

All. Look out ! Watch out ! Unlucky Mose ! 

{All scatter in alar7n.) 

Judge. Unlucky Mose, are you lookin' for trouble agin ? 

MosE. No, Jedge ; no, Jedge. I done thought better of it. 
( Goes to exit and brings on Skinny Huffy a7id Tiny Huffy. 
Co7ne to front.) I jest brought these children of Susanna's 
to see their new steppappy. 

Children. Mammy, mammy ! 

(They run to Sus.) 



12 A DAY IN COURT 

Allie. Susanna's children ? Jedge, dat mis'able, deceitful 
wench ain't done nebber tole me she had no children ! Jedge, 
I wants mah two doUahs back, and mah di-vorce ! 

MosE. Give them to him, Jedge, and I'll marry Susannah 
and pay you a four dollar fee ! 

Judge. The court takes the case under advisement ! 

{Performers catch hands and sing fast closing chorus.) 



CURTAIN 



playing on the Carlton Springs summer base' 
ball team. 



CAUGHT OUT 

A Farce in Three Acts 

By H. Manley Dana 

Nine male, two female characters. Costumes, modern ; scenery, one 

interior. Plays an hour and a half. De Witt Boyd is jollied into making 

a foolish bet that he will propose to Bess Mason and be rejected. She 

overhears the plot and accepts him instead, thus getting both herself and 

him into all kinds of a mess. A baseball play, full of action and interest, 

recommended to high schools. Easy and effective ; free from royalty. 

Price, 75 cents 

CHARACTERS 
Bill Randolph 
Dick Rogers 
Jack Davis 
George Brown 
Kenneth Marsh 
Charlie King 
De Witt Boyd, manager of the team. 
Harry Wilkes, formerly an Amherst pitcher; now wanted to 

pitch on the Carlton team. 
Mr. Weaver, afflicted with sunstroke. Has come to Carlton 

Springs to take the cure. 
Bess Mason 1 both staying at the Carlton 
Christabel Lee j Springs Hotel. 
Hotel Waiters. 

Remainder of team and substitutes, 

A TAKING WAY 

A Farce in One Act 
By Innis G. Osbom 
Four male, two female characters. Costumes, modern ; scenery, one 
interior. Plays forty-five minutes. Jacobus Harwinton, a newly-wed with 
a very jealous better half, gets by mistake into John Halsey's flat, taking 
it for that of a friend that has been loaned him for his honeymoon, and in- 
herits all of John's troubles, including Jennie, a very up-to-date typewriter, 
to say nothing of a casual burglar. Very swift and funny and strongly 
recommended. Price, /j" cents 

LOCAL AND LONG DISTANCE 

A Farce in One Act 
By H Manley Dana 
One male, six female characters. Costumes, modern ; scenery, one in- 
terior. Plays half an hour. George Davis, home from Yale with a broken 
leg, is left in charge of the house for an hour of a rainy day, and thus 
anchored trouble revolves around him like a wheel, largely turned by the 
charming Kitty Parsons who takes this chance to be revenged upon him 
for a little slight. Irresistibly funny to all telephone users. Strongly 
recommended. Price^ i^ cents 



THE FAMOUS BROWN vs. BROWN 

SEPARATE MAINTENANCE CASE 

A Woman's Suffragette Mock Trial 

By Lilian Clisby Bridgham 

Four males, twenty-eight females. Costumes, modern and eccentric ; 

scenery, unimportant; can be done on a platform if desired. Plays an 

hour and a half. A very lively and up-to-date entertainment, especially 

suited for womens' clubs. Full of opportunities for local hits. Printed 

with full directions as originally produced in Somerville, Mass. 

Price, 2^ cents 

CHARACTERS 
Mrs. ]'EiiKS, Judge. 
Mrs. Clark, clerk. 
Mrs. Oliver, court crier. 
Mrs. Burnham, district attorney. 
Miss Lincoln, defejidanf s counsel. 
Mrs. Elizabeth Bkovjn, plaintiff. 
Mrs. Sarah White, plaintiff" s mot/ier, 
Mrs, Burton, plaintiffs sister. 
Mrs. Currier, plaintiff ' s chum. 
Mrs. Harriet Brown, defendant's mother. 
Miss Adams, delicatessen store bookkeeper, 
Leonard Brown, defendant. 
James M-ORTon, jajiitor. 
Kenneth Baker, telegraph boy. 
Ethel Burton, ) . , . , ., , 

Randolph Clark, | ^^^^^^^'^ous children, 

Mrs. Edith Bi^ake, forewoman of Jury. 

THE GREEN BIRD 

A Farce Comedy in Three Acts 
By J. U. Harris 
£i|^ht males, four females. Costumes, modern ; scene, an interior. 
Plays vwo hours. Two young men on a bet go in search of a young lady 
with ; green bird on her hat. They run into all sorts of complications, 
interior » with an elopement, and their purpose becoming known, run into 
a perfect flock of green birds of all sizes and kinds and ferocity and get 
sadly mixed up. A very lively play, full of action and fun and strongly 
recomme^ided. Price, 23 cents 

A HALF BACK'S INTERFERENCE 

A Farce in One Act 

By M. N. Beebe 

Ten males. Costumes, modern ; scenery, unimportant. Plays forty 

minutes. Jack Drew, rusticating at Hiram Pepper's farm, is able to show 

him the adva:ntages of a college education by saving him from a swindler, 

and so wins his consent to sending his son, Bud, to college. Very easy; 

full of action and interest; all the parts good. Strongly recommended. 

Price, 15 cents 



PICKING A WINNER 

A Farce in Three Acts 
By MacPherson yatiney 
Nine males, five females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, two interiors. 
Plays two hours. Three foreign noblemen in pursuit of the millions of an 
American heiress disguise themselves as a cook, a chauffeur, and a butler, 
and enter her employ. The police force of McNabb, 111., embodied in a 
rustic disciple of Sherlock Holmes, misconceives them and causes a lot of 
fun for everybody but them. Very funny and original and strongly 
recommended. Professional rights reserved. Price, 2^ cents 

CHARACTERS 

Sir Francis MacDonald, who watits Blanche, 

Count Alexandre, who wants Blanche s money. 

The Earl of Norton, also desirous of Blanche's coin. 

The Grand Duke Ruffievitch, equally keen after Blanche s 

wealth. 
Col. Arthur Hopkins, the police force of McNabb, Illinois. 
Fred 1 

Mervyn \ three gilded youths. 
Frank j 

Hawkins, Lady Janef s butler. 
Blanche Kane, an American heiress. 
Lady Janet MacDonald, Sir Francis aunt 
IsABELLE Foster | 

Olga Foster V three American heiresses. 

Stella Foster j 

THE FIRST NATIONAL BOOT 

A Farce in Two Acts 
By M. G. 
Seven males, two females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, a single in- 
terior. Plays one hour. Intended to Idc played by male actors only. 
Isry Ebbetts's distrust of banks leads him to keep his money in a rubber 
boot. The fact that he never banks his receipts and his known possession 
of the " Ebbetts fortune " make him an object of interest to Nine-Fingered 
Pete and others, including two suffragettes with prohibition ideas. His 
troubles are many, but he comes out all right. Very funny. Can be 
recommended. Price, i^ cents 

CHARACTERS 

"Isry" Ebbetts, owner of Hamden* s Center Store. 
Eddy Rias, his clerk. 

Andrew Strong, a mysterious stranger froi7i Portland. 
Francesca Willets ) jnembers of Hamdens 
Edwina Bemis I Reform League. 

Archenbachus Herodotus Snooze, a ^member of Pinkums De- 
tective Agency. 
Foggerty Young, towfi constable. 
Thomas Rustan, a practical joker. 
Squire Peckham, chairman of the town counciL 
Farmers. 



HALF HOURS OF VAUDEVILLE 

In arranging an entertainmeut for club, lodge, church or society, how 
often does the committee in charge find themselves with a half-hour on 
their hands, for which no suitable feature has been prepared. It is for 
just such occasions that this book has been arranged. The selections are 
all up to date, and have been written with the view of pleasing just such 
audiences. They can be played in any lodge room, church platform, or 
even in a parlor ; and while simple in construction, give ample opportunity 
for the display of histrionic talent. 

By Gordan V. May 
Pricey 2j cents 

CONTENTS 

Male Female 

One Little Shoe Dramatic Sketch . i i 

Just Notions Farcical " . i r 

After Many Years .... Dramatic " ,2 2 

A Lesson In Love .... Comedy " . i i 

The Baby Comedy " . i i 

The Baby . . . same as above, arranged for . 2 
Vengeance Is Mine .... Tragic Sketch . 2 
Dr. Dobbs' Assistant . • . Farcical " .6 

For the Sake of a Thousand Comedy •« .2 i 

Marinda's Beaus Comic Pantomime 2 i 

1750-1912 2 

caste 

An Original Comedy in Three Acts 

By T. W. Robertson 
Four males, three females. Scenery, a single interior ; costumes, 
modern. Plays a full evening. A reproduction of the famous Boston 
Museum prompt-book of this sterling play, containing all the customary 
" business " and interpolations used in the American theatre. Few plays 
give more even and varied opportunity to its actors or more effectively 
mingle humor and strong dramatic interest than this, and none ever en- 
joyed wider or more enthusiastic popularity at the time of its first pro- 
duction. Strongly recommended for amateur performance. 
Price, 75 cents 

TWO STRIKES 

A Baseball Comedy in Two Acts 

By Thacher Howla7id Guild 
Six males, one female. Costumes, modern ; scenery, two interiors. 
Plays an hour and a quarter. Originally produced by The Mask and 
Bauble Society of the University of Illinois, and highly recommended for 
similar uses. Very easy to produce, all the parts of nearly equal oppor- 
tunity, dramatic interest unusually strong. Can be relied upon to please. 
Priccy 2J cents 



B. W. Pinero's Plays 

Price, 50 0erit6 Cacb 



IVUH-rH ANNFT ^^^^ ^° ^°^^ ^^*s- six males, five females. 
1UI&/ V^llAililLiLi Costumes, modern; scenery, three interiors. 
Plays two and a half hours. 

THE NOTORIOUS MRS. EBBSMITH Ssr'ii^Tl 

males, five females. Costumes, modern; scenery, all interiors. 
Plays a full evening. 

THF PROFTinATF Playln Four Acts. Seven males, five 
t llLi I l\V/l LilVIM 1 Li females. Scenery, three interiors, rather 
elaborate ; costumes, modern. Plays a full eveuing. 

THF ^PHOnT MKTRF^^ Farce in Three Acts. Nine males, 
in£i iJV^IlUULilU10iI\.£.i3i3 seven females. Costumes, mod- 
ern; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

THE SECOND MRS. TANQUERAY ^lirl^^Xi 

females. Costumes, modern; scenery, three interiors. Plays a 
full evening. 

QWFFT I AVFNriFP Comedyin Three Acts. Seven males, 
i^TTUi:il LiAVi:illl/i:<IV four females. Scene, a single interior, 
costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. 

THF THITWnFPHnf T Comedy in Four Acts. Ten males, 
in£i inUlli/£<IVD\JLil nine females. Scenery, three interi- 
ors; costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. 

THF TIMF^ Comedy in Four Acts. Six males, seven females. 
***'^ llmLu Scene. a single interior; costumes, modern. Plays 
a full evening. 

THF WFAlfFR QFY Comedyin Three Acts. Eight males, 
1111:1 YTEi/lIvEiIV iJCiA eight females. Costumes, modern; 
scenery, two interiors. Plays a full evening. 

A WIFE WITHOUT A SMILE Fl^^males, four females! 
Costumes, modern ; scene, a single interior. Plays a full evening. 



Sent prepaid on receipt of price by 

Walttx H. pafeer & Companp 

No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

II 




ofpapfii 



A^ TAII I IITP IT Comedy in Five Acts. Thirteen males, four 
AD IVV JUluIi II females. Oostomes, picturesque ; scenery, va- 
rie<l. Plays a full evening. 

rAMIIIF I>rama in Five Acts. Nine males, five females. Oos- 
vAimi4L/C tumes, modern ; scenery, varied. Plays a full evening. 

INAnHAP Play in Five Acts. Thirteen males, three females. 
inUUIuiiA Scenery varied ; costumes, Greek. Plays a full evening. 

MADV ^TIIADT Tragedy in Five Acts. Thirteen males, four fe- 
iuAi\l JlUAni males, and supernumeraries. Costumes, of the 
period ; scenery, varied and elaborate. Plays a full evening. 

TflE MERCHANT OF VENICE S'aTetrh?e!£^i^i: Sr.?;L°S; 

picturesque ; scenery varied. Plays a full evening. 

DirHFI IFII ^l*y ^° ^^® Acts. Fifteen males, two females. Scen- 
I\IV11LL<1L<U ery elaborate ; costumes of the period. Plays a full 
evening. 

THF filVAT^ Comedy in Five Acts. Nine males, five females. 
lllLi niiALiJ Scenery varied; costumes of the period. Plays a 
full evening. 

SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER ST/e'Joi? ffit^'loen'e'^';^ 
rled ; costumes of the period. Plays a full evening. 

TWELFTH NICHT; OR, WHAT YOU WILL ir.i'.XK 

three females. Costumes, picturesque ; scenery, varied. Plays a 
full evening. 



Sent prepaid on receipt of price by 

Salter "0. TSafeer & Company 

No. 5 Hamiiton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 

S. J. PARKHILL a CO., PRINTERS, BOSTON. U.S.A. 



